Hatch-operating mechanism.



H. B. HILLS.

HATCH OPERATING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED APR.19, 1913..

1,085,422, Patented Jan. 27, 1914.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

H. B. HILLS.

HATCH OPERATING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 19, 1913.

Patented Jan. 27, 1914.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

HARRY B. HILLS, OF RIVER'ION, NEW JERSEY.

HATCH-OPERATING MECHANISM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 27, I!) H.

Application filed April 19, 1913. Serial No. 762,285.

'1 '0 7/! 7/ /1017) it may concern do it known that ,l, Haney B. HiLLs, a citizen of the United States. and a resident of Riverton, Burlington county, New Jersey, have invented certain improvements in llatch fiperating Mechanism, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to means for counterbalancing doors, hatchcovers and other similar structures, more particularly for use on board ship and designed to counterbalance the weight of hatches whether of the heavy battleship type or of the ordinary light cover type mounted over hatch coainings projecting above the deck of a ship.

The important feature of my invention is to provide means for insuring simple and ready operation of these hatch-covers with the least amount of energy, and the object of my invention is to provide power-controlled mechanism therefor capable of adjustment to the desired extent so as to take care of the weight of the hatch and insure the operation of the same with a minimum amount of exertion. These and other features of my invention are more fully described hereinafter, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming part thereof, in which:

Figure 1, is a view in elevation of one form of mechanism embodying my invention; the hatch being closed; Fig. 2, is a view of a partof the structure shown in Fig. 1, illustrating the mechanism in a different position; the hatch being open; Fig. 3, is an enlarged view of part of the mechanism forming the subject of my invention; Fig. 4, is a perspective view of a detail; Fig. 5, is an elevation illustrating a modified construction within the scope of my invention, and Fig. 6, is an inverted plan view of the structure shown in Fig. 5.

On shipboard. hatches are fitted for access to the various decks, and these hatches are generally of metal and hinged on one side. They are. of various weights, depending upon their size, thickness, or purpose, and they are usually fitted with some type of balance gear to enable them to be easily operated by hand. These balance gears are sometimes controlled by weights and sometimes controlled by springs. The disadaii ounting on a large ship to twenty or thirty tons; they take up an excessive amount of. room, and they do not give a true balance unless considerable mechanism is employed. The spring types usually coniprise a coiled spring in compression or ten sion arranged to act upon a simple lover. or a coiled spring with one end fixed and its opposite end connected to the hatch and acting under torsional strain to raise the latter. With either of these types, a perfect balance is not obtainable; the hatch-cover either remaining closed or springing up with considerable velocity, resulting in a severe impact, when fully opened.

The object of my invention is to provide a construction designed to remedy this condition and to insure that a perfect balance may be obtained, either with the use of weights or springs; the principle employed being that of a cam or abutment, power being applied to a link, or, as in the present instance, to a plurality of links forming a chain working on the surface of a cam connected to the hatch. The cam is so shaped that the length of the lever, which is equal to the distance between the pivotal point of the cam and the line of pull or center of strain, is correct in any position of the hatch; resulting in an even movement of the same. The power employed may he in the shape of a coiled compression spring, as shown, although a tension spring or weight can be employed in lieu thereof. Means are also provided for adjusting the contact relation between the link or chain and cam to take care of any irregularities in the shape of the cam, the chain or the position of the pivotal points, or any errors made in calculating the strength and effectiveness of the spring.

In the drawings. 1 represents the deck of a ship. from which a hatch coaming 2 may project, closed by a hatch or cover 3 of any suitable shape, which hatch or cover is hinged at 4. That portion of the hinge carried by the hatch or cover is indicated at 5. and is provided with a cam 6, shown more in detail in Fig. 3, and this cam provides for an equal strain upon a compensating element and serves to gradually lengthen the lever provided by said hinge element between the vantages of the weight type are three-fold: I hatch and the compensating means therefor.

The weight added to the ship is excessive,

Near the bottom of the hatch coaming, a

bracket 7 is provided to which a spring tension member 8 is connected; the latter comprising an arm 9 pivoted to said bracket and having a yoke member 10 with a cap plate 10, and a rod 11 indirectly connected to the hinge member carrying the cam and having a cap plate 11, between which cap plates a coiled spring 12 is placed; said spring being in compression when the hatch is closed, as shown in Fig. 1, and elongating when the hatch cover is raised, as shown in Fig. 2, to clfect the raising of the hatch cover; the tension of said spring compensating for the weight of the cover. The rod 11 is connected to the hinge member of the cover by means of a short section of chain 14:; the links of which are of a peculiar construction, more fully shown in Fig. 4:- This chain overlies the substantially curved surface of the cam, and when the hatch is raised the cam increases the distance between this pivotal point and the, line of pull so that a perfect balance is obtained. In order that any inequalities in the surface of the cam may be compensated for and in order to secure a substantially perfect balance between the hatch and the counterbalancing device, the

links 15 of the chain are provided with screws 16 adapted to threaded openings 17 in said links, and having nuts 18 whereby they may be locked in their adjusted .positions. In lieu of this arrangement, the links .to form the chain may have permanent projections, of various heights, so that any arrangement of links to form the chain may be employed. The cam, it will be noted, has independent surfaces 6, 6* and 6, for engagement by said screws so as to adjust the chain and regulate the position of the cover.

In the form of structure shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4, the compensating mechanism is disposed exterior of the hatch coaming. In Figs. 5 and 6, however, I have shown a hatch 3 substantially flush with the deck 1*, in which the compensating mechanism is disposed below the deck. In this form of structure, the hinge 4 for the hatch is on the upper side of the deck, while its under side is provided with a lever 5 having a cam 66 of substantially the same character as that illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 3. The connections for this arrangement and form of compensating means are substantially the same as those indicated with reference to the other. structure, and the operation is substantially the same. In this form of structure, the hatch may be secured by catches 20 disposed on the under side of the same; being illustrated diagrammatically in the accompanying drawings.

The spring employed in my improved construction for operating a hatch is illustrated as being under compression when the hatch is closed. It will be understood, of course, that a spring under tension may be employed in lieu thereof, and that in instances where other factors permit a weight may be employed.

It will be understood, of course, that I do not wish to be limited to the precise character, of cam shown and described herewith, nor the precise character of chain or the links composing the same, andthat such chain may be longer or shorter than illustrated, dependingentirely upon the particular circumstances and the size, weight, and character of the hatch to be operated.

I claim:

1. The combination of a hatch or door, and counterbalancing means therefor, comprising a member pivotally supported and fixedly connected to said hatch or door, spring means for actuating said member, a cam carried by said member, a flexible connection for said spring member overlying said cam, said flexible connection being also connected to the pivotally supported memher, and means for adjusting the relation of said flexible connection with respect to said cam.

2. The combination of a hatch or door, and counterbalancing means therefor, com prising a member pivotally supported and fixedly connected to said hatch or door, spring means for actuating said member, a

cam carried by said member, a chain conpivoted member connected to the hatch, a

flexible member carried by said spring-controlled means and overlying said cam, said flexible member being connected to the pivotally supported member, and means for adjusting said flexible member with respect to the'cam.

4. A counterbalance for a hatch or door, comprising a member pivotally supported and fixedly connected to said hatch, spring means for actuating said member, a cam car'- ried by said member, a chain composed of a plurality of links connected to said spring member and overlying said cam, said chain being also connected to the pivotally supported member, and means carried by said links for adjusting the position of the chain with respect to said cam.

5. The combination of a hatch or door and counterbalancing means therefor, comprismg a hinge member pivotally supported and fixedly connected to said hatch or door, spring means for actuating said hinge member, a link interposed between said hinge member and the spring means, and means screw or bolt threaded through said link for for adjusting said link with respect to the adjusting the same with respect to the hinge hinge member. member.

6. The combination of a hatch or door In testimony whereof, I have signed my 5 and counterbalancing means therefor, comname to this specification, in the presence of 15 prising a hinge member pivotally supported two subscribing witnesses.

and fixedly connected to-said hatch or door, HARRY B. HILLS. spring means for actuating said hinge mem- \Vitnesses: ber, a link interposed between said hinge MURRAY C. BOYER,

10 member and the spring means, and a set Jos. H. KLEIN. 

